Six centuries of select hymns and spiritual songs collected out of the Holy Bible together with a catechism, the canticles, and a catalogue of vertuous women / by William Barton.

THE EPISTLE TO THE READER.

Courteous Reader,

I Find no clear distinction in Scripture between Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs. Psalm 18 and 45. and Fifteen more beginning at the 120. are called Songs. Psalm 92. is called

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

A Psalm or Song for the Sabbath day. Psalm 145. is intituled 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 David's Hymn or Psalm of Praise: And from this saith learned Schindler the Title of the whole Book seems to be taken; for it is intituled 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Book of Hymns or Praises; Quod major Psalmorum pars Dei Laudes contineat; Because the grea∣ter part of the Psalms consist of the Prai∣ses of God: And of such Psalms the ma∣jor

part of these Centuries is Composed.

As for the parts and parcels of Psalms conducing to this Composure, I find an Example in the Holy Scriptur••, 1 Chr. 16. where from the 7th ver. to the 36th are sundry parts and parcels of the 105.96.106. and 136 Psalms, collected into a Psalm or Hymn; upon which conside∣ration, I take more liberty to pick and chuse places, and put in parallel Scrip∣ture as it serves the purpose.

Now, for the great variety and plen∣ty of them in these Centuries set out, I have great variety of reasons to plead.

1. Because I know nothing so much excepted against in my Edition of the Psalms 1654. as that the variety of Metres was very much omitted; neither did the Impression go off in five times the space that the former did.

2. Because many of these Psalms are done more elaborately than those of the former Edition, till they were corrected and compleated, and printed Anno 1682. with Aliters to my mind as they are now finished.

3. Because I may gratifie the Reader with examples to accommodate the choi∣cer old Tunes, whereof I have omitted none that I know; and have put in more

frequent examples for these two delicate and expeditious Tunes of the Old 50th, and the 124th. As in the 320th, and 322d, and in the 338th, and 341st, Hymns of the Fourth Century you may see Examples.

4. Because I might take liberty in some Hymns to Paraphrase for the Ex∣position of some hard passages; for in∣stance, it is said, Psalm 139.21. Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee, &c? which I think to be clearly interpreted in Hymn 565. and more largely varied Psalm 139. of the last Edition thereof, printed Anno 1682.

The latter end of the 51st Psalm I found very dark; for when he had said, Thou desirest not sacrifice, &c. Thou delightest not in burnt offering, &c. He saith presently, Then shalt thou be pleased—with burnt offering, and whole burnt offering—and Bullocks, which I think to be clearly interpreted in the 4.7. and 8. Metres of the 51st Psalm.

A passage in the 72. Psalm, vers. 17. I counted choicely done, and keeping the Allusion which the Hebrew seems to hint, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Nomen ejus filiabitur, saith Montanus, His name shall be continued — among the posterities

saith the Old Translation: Yet I thought it needfull to put it plainer by an Aliter, as you may find it.

The 8th. Psalm was hardest of all to me to be explained, carrying a construction of Christ our Saviour, as the Apostle saith, Heb. 2.6. Which Psalm shew∣ing the glory of man in his Creation, in∣timates mans re-investing in his Domi∣nion by Redemption: I have annexed the Intepretation in a different Character.

5. Because these Centuries were for∣merly put forth against my will, by an imperfect Copy, and in great disorder, An. 1668. I have put them into a handsome method, passing by no Psalm of common use, but have in whole or in part inserted it, and have put the whole Psalms together in double Metres, and in some more.

6. Finally, I have endeavoured to doe the Work so well, as that whosoever approves of the Psalm Book (as it is now compleated Anno 1682.) may not think these Hymns unnecessary or un∣worthy (for Printing) to precede or follow them.

I might have annexed Scripture-Proofs to that famous Hymn Te De∣um, (harping upon Scripture all along) but having done that already in the

Chapter-Hymns, (wherein those that are well acquainted may readily find the most noted Sentences of Holy Scrip∣ture, as by a Concordance) I let these go for a demonstration, how much the old Version needs amendment, and how near the Verse-Translation may come unto the Prose.

I aimed principally in all this pains to promote Godliness: I much affected that Noble Sentence put out by the fa∣mous Dr. Cudworth,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Be Godly, O my Son, for Godly men Do Christianize it with the best of them.

And sure there is nothing more effec∣tual to breed Godliness than Holy Scrip∣ture, nothing will preach Scripture to us, or print Scripture in our minds more than Scripture-Hymns.

Wherefore I conclude all with that precept of the Apostle,

Col. 3.16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisedom, teaching and admo∣nishing one another in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Your Servant for Jesus sake, William Barton.